Quick start carries Kingsford

January 16, 2013

KINGSFORD - Dalton Allen's long-distance shooting sprang Kingsford to a first-quarter lead it never lost in a 57-43 victory over rival Iron Mountain here Tuesday night in non-conference boys basketball.

Article Photos

Theresa Peterson/The Daily News PhotosKingsford’s Dalton Allen tries to save a ball from going out of bounds while being defended by Iron Mountain’s Gerry Pirkola during the second half of Tuesday night’s non-conference boys basketball game. Kingsford head coach Dan Olkkonen watches the play.

"It's key when you start a game to try to come out and get a lead, get an advantage and try to figure out a team before they figure you out," Kingsford coach Dan Olkkonen said. "Dalton Allen came out and just did a great job."

Allen, one of four Flivvers in double figures with 15 points sank the first three 3-pointers he fired as Kingsford rolled to an eight-point lead by the end of the first frame.

"To come out and nail three threes like that, that's a big thing," Olkkonen said.

Wienke poured in eight in the second quarter, as the Flivvers withstood a 14-point first half by Taylor Huotari to lead by 10 at halftime.

Huotari led all scorers in the game with 20 points, collecting 10 of those at the line. He hit a triple late in the half to bring Iron Mountain within eight, but a putback bucket by Michaud near the end of the half gave Kingsford its double-digit cushion.

"He's a penetrator," Olkkonen said of Huotari. "He uses his body so well getting to the free throw line. He had a great game trying to keep his team in there."

Iron Mountain, unable to mount any sort of run, never got it under 10 the rest of the way.

"They got off to a hot start and we battled hard but just couldn't overcome that deficit," Mountaineers coach Harvey Johnson said. "Allen really got them off to a good start."

Kingsford led 42-24 on the boards.

"Size had something to do with the rebounding advantage there," Johnson said. "They were well-prepared for us."